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2013 FCS Coordinator of the Year – Finalists

The FootballScoop Coaches of the Year awards, presented by ProGrass, are the only set of awards that recognize the most outstanding position coaches in college football. Finalists were selected based off of nominations by coaches, athletic directors and other athletic department personnel. The winner will be chosen by the previous winners of this award and will be announced in January.

The 2013 FootballScoop Coaches of the Year will be recognized and will receive their awards at an event held in their honor at the American Football Coaches Association’s annual convention in January.

It can be argued that, statistically speaking, no unit turned in a better 2013 season than South Carolina State’s defense. The Bulldogs finished the season ranked first, second or third nationally in six major defensive categories: total defense (238 yards per game allowed), rushing defense (90.9), passing defense (141.7), pass efficiency defense (92.35), scoring defense (15.3) and third down defense (27.4 percent).

It should be no surprise then that South Carolina State held a half-dozen opponents to six points or less and, most importantly, finished 9-4, won a share of the MEAC championship and a berth into the FCS playoffs.

Key Stats:

1st in total defense (238 yards per game)

1st in pass efficiency defense (92.35)

2nd in rushing defense (90.9 yards per game)

3rd in scoring defense (15.2 points per game)

Aaron Best

FCS Coordinator of the Year

Finalist

Two things you know you’re getting in an Eastern Washington football game: red turf and one of the most fearsome aerial assaults in college football. Behind talented quarterback Vernon Adams, the Eagles threw for the fourth-most yards in FCS (349.8 yards per game) and still boasted the most efficient passing attack in the nation, completing nearly 66 percent of passes for 58 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Eastern Washington’s 182.55 team passer rating was more than 13 points ahead of No. 2 San Diego. Eastern Washington’s 369 first downs were the second-most in FCS, and they also earned top 10 rankings in total offense (533.5 yards per game), scoring offense (39.5 points per game) and third down conversions (48.1 percent).

Key Stats:

4th in total offense (533.5 yards per game)

1st in passing efficiency (182.55)

2nd in first downs (369)

7th in scoring offense (39.5 points per game)

Scott Boone

FCS Coordinator of the Year

Finalist

William & Mary finished the 2013 season with a 7-5 record, but went a perfect 12-for-12 in creating a miserable day for the opposing offense thanks to an outstanding season turned in by Scott Boone’s unit. The Tribe finished the season placed second nationally in scoring defense with an average of just 14 points per game allowed; the Tribe threw two shutouts, held six opponents to 10 points or less and played FCS championship participant Towson to a 15-9 final score.

William & Mary allowed the eighth-fewest yards in FCS (305.5 per game), and ranked 11th in pass efficiency defense (107.41) and 13th in total defense (118.1 yards per game). Opponents converted only one out of every three third down attempts against Boone’s defense, which placed 15th in FCS.

Key Stats:

2nd in scoring defense (14 points per game)

8th in total defense (305.5 yards per game)

11th in pass efficiency defense (107.41)

15th in third down conversions allowed (33.3 percent)

Sterlin Gilbert

FCS Coordinator of the Year

Finalist

Three signs you had an excellent season as an offensive coordinator: your team leads the nation in total offense, your team leads the nation in scoring offense and your quarterback takes home national player of the year honors. Sterlin Glibert accomplished all three.

Eastern Illinois went 12-2 this season, and led FCS in total offense (589.5 yards per game) and scoring offense (48.2 points per game). And, finally, Gilbert helped quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo take home the 2013 Walter Payton Award, FCS’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. Garoppolo led FCS with 5,050 passing yards (a 168.33 rating) with 53 passing touchdowns (plus four rushing) against only nine interceptions.

Key Stats:

1st in total offense (589.5 yards per game)

1st in scoring offense (48.2 points per game)

2nd in passing offense (372.4 yards per game)

4th in pass efficiency (163.55)

Chris Klieman

FCS Coordinator of the Year

Finalist

For the third year in a row, North Dakota State claimed the FCS championship and for the third year in a row the Bison’s dominant defense is a major reason why. The 15-0 Bison pitched three shutouts, held eight opponents to 10 points or less, and didn’t allowed more than 17 points since October 12; add it all up and you can see why they led FCS in scoring defense at just 11.3 points per game.

North Dakota State also ranked third in total defense (255.9 yards per game) and second pass efficiency defense (97.6), and ranked third in the country in rush defense (91.3 yards per game) while leading the nation third down defense (26.3 percent). Perhaps most impressively, North Dakota State opened the season by holding Kansas State to 41 rushing yards on 23 attempts in a 24-21 win to open the season.

Key Stats:

1st in scoring defense (11.3 yards per game)

3rd in rushing defense (91.3 yards per game)

1st in third down conversions allowed (26.3 percent)

2nd in pass efficiency defense (97.6)

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